Vicky Price, Owner of CreatiV Communications
Vicky Price is a leader in digital marketing and the Owner of CreatiV Communications. Vicky talks to The Industry Leaders about how she conquered overwhelm by working with a business coach and tells us why you should go "live" but never watch it back!
How did you end up sitting where you are today?
My background is in Marketing, but I took a break to bring up children. After a separation, I found myself a single parent of four children and without an income. I wanted the flexibility of working for myself, yet lacked confidence. I started as a VA but, very quickly, my marketing knowledge and expertise took over. I skilled-up very quickly, and one thing led to another.
After feeling overwhelmed during the first lockdown, I started to work with a business coach, Niki Matyjasik, which transformed my business. I am rebranding as CreatiV Communications, and it's all moving very fast. I also have a sub-brand called The Entrepreneurial Single Mum. My Facebook group is about support, connection and business growth, and I have a couple of products I am working on.
What kind of work does your role involve?
I am still discovering my USP, but it's somewhere between a Marketing Director and Coach. I work in a variety of ways, from power HR strategy sessions to ongoing marketing support.
In my strategy sessions, I empower business owners to handle their own digital marketing, social media and sales funnels. In my ongoing support, I do everything from monthly sessions, overseeing marketing output and hands-on content creation and social media implementation. I also handle some of the tech that is required in today's fast-moving digital world.
What gets you excited about your industry?
Since the first lockdown, every bit of marketing went online, and many business owners felt overwhelmed and not equipped to deal with it. It's moving pretty fast now, and I never thought I would say this, but I love the tech! There is always something new to discover and try; it can be really creative.
When I take a client from overwhelm and get all the moving parts working together, it's pretty exciting to see the results. Visibility does not just mean being a performing monkey - it means, let's get creative and see what's possible.
What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Take the work, and we'll sort out the how!
Those are the words from my business coach, and given I am very solution focussed that works for me - there is always something to learn, and always a better and more efficient way of working. I learn from everyone and everything.
In terms of visibility, another piece of advice was "do the 'live' and don't ever watch it back".
What, or who inspires you?
Women in business inspire me every day, from my coaches and colleagues to mentors and writers. I have never felt more supported and cheered on in my life as I do right now. I believe that there is enough for all of us and we should work on collaboration rather than competition.
How do you keep up to speed with what's happening in your industry?
I am in a great Facebook group that shares the latest developments in digital marketing. If I need to know more about something, I will then research it in more detail. I also do courses and training to increase my knowledge. I just completed Lisa Johnson's One to Many programme and am about to go into a 9-month mastermind with Niki Matyjasik. I'm also looking for a property mentor with my joint venture property group.
What was the most challenging project or situation you've overcome?
Haha, being a single mum with 4 children at home is pretty challenging, and the lockdowns have intensified that. Having them all at home whilst running and growing my business has been a struggle, but I am so resilient and determined that nothing will stop me. I just take it all one day at a time, make sure I am looking after my health and always ask - how can I do this better?
You finish work today and step outside the office to find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?
That would be a dream! I would probably have to reassess everything. Once I got over the euphoria, I would look at what I want. I would make sure the children were accessing the education and creative activity each of them needs, then I would work with the clients who 100% aligned with my values and ways of working. I love what I do and want to see every businesswoman reach their full potential and support them in doing so. I would also help younger single mothers to set up their own businesses and create the lives they may only dream of. And I would finish writing my novel.
How do you switch off after a day at work?
I need to get better at switching off. I don't have much time to myself, but I try and walk daily. I love being in nature and am very lucky to live close to some woodland with a stream; a quick walk there daily recharges me. I also join a group guided meditation once a week. I love films, so that's my lie on the sofa and do nothing activity. A glass of wine used to be my quick wind down, but I don't drink anymore because, although it did the job, it created another problem, so I'm happy without it.
If you had one wish for the future of your industry, what would it be?
No more stories cropping up on every social media platform! I love Clubhouse and the conversational element of it. It's hard to imagine where we may be in even a couple of years with all the tech. I don't think constant content across multiple channels is sustainable for anyone - it's a huge job. I would like the people to lead - lets all just stop for a moment, take a breath and get creative. Stop trying to beat the algorithms - maybe if we all ignore them, they will go away. I would love a return to offline marketing again!
What book or podcast should everyone know about?
I loved Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert; it appealed to my creative approach in life. I am only just getting into podcasts, but 'Entrepreneurs get Visible' with Anna Parker-Naples is very good, short, to the point and always interesting. There are still so many books and podcasts to discover!
How should people connect with you?
Instagram: the_entrepreneurial_single_mum
Facebook group: The Entrepreneurial Single Mum (for single mum business owners).
My website is in development.
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